(WASHINGTON, DC) - The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary July job estimates show an increase of 4,000 jobs for a total of 1,165,000 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 2,600 jobs, while the public sector increased by 6,600 jobs. The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted July 2025 unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, which was 0.1 percentage points higher than the revised June 2025 unemployment rate of 5.0 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in July 2024, which was 0.5 percentage points lower than the current unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.
Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division for July 2025 was 1,035,700, of which 983,300 were employed and 52,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,159,700, of which 3,043,500 were employed and 116,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.7 percent. In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington, Metropolitan DC-MD Division, the Arlington- Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division, and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,584,900, of which 3,441,700, were employed and 143,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 4.0 percent. For the month, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased by 0.1 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring were unchanged.
Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force decreased over the year by 2,100, while the number of employed decreased by 6,400, and the number of unemployed increased by 4,200. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 36,600, while the number of employed decreased by 55,000, and the number of unemployed increased by 18,400. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 35,300, while the number of employed decreased by 55,400 and the number of unemployed increased by 20,100. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased by 0.5 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.6 percentage points each.
Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 4,000 jobs. The private sector decreased by 2,600 jobs, while the public sector increased by 6,600 jobs over the month. The private sector had three gains over the month. Job gains were registered in Mining Logging & Construction (800 jobs), Trade Transportation & Utilities (100 jobs) and Other Services (300 jobs). The private sector had four losses over the month. Job losses were registered in Information (-100 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-2,300 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (-1,300 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (-100 jobs). The Government overall increased by 6,600 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased by 2,100 jobs while the state government increased by 10,700 jobs and local government decreased by 2,000 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 1,900 jobs. The private sector increased by 8,200 jobs. The public sector decreased by 10,100 jobs. Job increases were registered in: Mining, Logging and Construction (4,700 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (2,300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (7,100 jobs) and Other Services (1,100 jobs). Job decreases were registered in Trade Transportation & Utilities (-1,100 jobs) Information (-800 jobs); Financial Activities (-500 jobs) and Professional and Business Services (-4,600 jobs). Government overall decreased 10,100 and the federal government decreased 10,000 jobs and the state government increased 500 jobs and the local government decreased 600 jobs.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations
Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, and MD (Charles County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD).
The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area include Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD; Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria city, VA; Fairfax city, VA; Falls Church city, VA; Fredericksburg city, VA; Manassas city, VA; Manassas Park city, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick-Gaithersburg-Bethesda, MD Metropolitan Division Frederick County, Montgomery County; Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD.
Data reflects the 2024 annual benchmark revisions.
